Scenes from (Early) Spring

…And it’s starting to feel more and more like we actually live on a farm!

Maple production has continued. We finished our 3rd batch this past weekend and it was the best one yet. This week we’re in the midst of the fastest rushing sap we’ve seen so there will be at least a 4th (and probably a 5th) installment of our syrup!

We’ve tried boiling the sap down a number of ways – a grill, a rocket stove, and this last time we used a portable electric cooktop that we placed outside.

I think the rocket stove was the most fun, but we had a hard time keeping the sap boiling and it took a lot longer than it should have (like, 10 hours!). We finished the last bit of sap on the kitchen stove and ended up with a decent amount of syrup.

The electric cooktop definitely won the contest for the most efficient way to boil down the amount of sap we collected.

We’ve also begun our adventures into chickens! What fun to have these little peepers taking up a corner of our 3-season room. Baby LF loves them and really enjoys feeding them (but don’t tell her “that’s enough”). We have a mix of three different breeds (Silkies, leghorns, and red rocks), and hopefully we’ll be getting one more variety from a friend this summer.

Between the chickens and our seed-starts, this room is now a mini-farm itself!

My creative juices have been bubbling up just as much as the sap and I’ve had an incredibly fun time designing and creating all of the spring-inspired herbal treats for the Spring Wellness Box. I’m pleased that so many people have been eager to try them, and I was very busy getting orders together last week. I’ve taken a break from talking about the box for the past few days, but I’m ready to put some more together!

If you’re interested in learning more about the Spring Wellness Box, hop on over HERE.

I also had a friend over who helped me make dandelion-infused soap. I cant wait until it’s cured and ready to try!

Today, we could finally lie on the grass and look up at the sky. The flowers are starting to show up and it feels so. very. nice.

about

Welcome to These Light Footsteps, the blog related to Light Footsteps Herb Farm & Learning Center.
My name is Christine and I'm a permaculturist, herbalist, and biologist doing my best to follow the rhythms of the natural world. I like to write about herbalism, backyard farming, permaculture projects, simple living, and finding spirit in nature. I'm also an attachment/gentle parent and advocate for women's choices in birth.
Please look around, I hope you'll find something you like!

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disclaimer

Thank you for visiting 'these light footsteps'! Most pictures are my own (except where otherwise noted), and can be used if linked back to me.
Any suggestions or ideas I put forward about health or consuming wild foods are purely suggestions and you are responsible for ensuring the safety of anything you consume!
Go forth and step lightly!